Detroit Sports Commission's New Mascot Has Shelby Township Roots

The Detroit Sports Detroit Sports Commission’s new mascot, Champ, has roots in from right here in Shelby Township.

Patch.com contributor Shelly Watkins, of Shelby Township, named the new mascot by submitting the winning entry for an online competition to name the new mascot.

"I follow the Detroit Sports Commission on Facebook and saw the mascot-naming contest there," said Watkins.  "Champ was the only name I submitted as I thought it was very positive and classic.  Also, it fits perfectly with the Detroit Sports Commission's tagline, 'Where champions are made and championships are played.'  Detroit has crowed many champs through the years and I believe that with the help of the Sports Commission, we will celebrate many more in the future."

Champ recieved 60 percent of the online votes. Other names in the running were D-Champ; Captain D; Moe Towne and Motown Sporty.

The DSC unveiled the name Friday at Campus Martius Park. Champ, their first mascot in the organization's 11-year history, was awarded his own No. 12 jersey, with "Champ" written across the back.

Watkins was brought on stage Friday and given a matching jersey. In addition, she received two Detroit Tigers’ tickets, a membership to the DSC’s D-Sports Nation and a Hard Rock Café gift certificate.

Participants at the ceremony also included the Detroit Tigers’ Paws, Detroit Lions’ Roary, Detroit Pistons’ Hooper, University of Detroit Mercy’s Tommy Titan and Oakland University’s Clawzz.